Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Elliott Blades was born in Escomb about 1888, father Joseph Blades 1841-1913 of Escomb, Durham and mother Elizabeth Elliot born 1845 County Durham. He was their youngest son, one of eight children, five boys and three girls. In 1911 Elliot was working as a cabinet maker and still living at home with the family and two visitors, a Pricilla Hudson and a Lily Butterfield of Evenwood, (16 Dec 1888-3Qtr 1974,) Lily and Elliot were married in 1915.
He enlisted at Ferry Hill in the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) 1/7th Battalion, (date unknown,) In June 1917 they engaged the enemy in the trenches around Ypres, Belgium and in particular the area of Dekebusch.) Elliot was wounded and it must have been so serious that he was taken to Etaples, a town that had become a vast Allied military camp and subsequently a huge, “hospital city.” Wounded soldiers were often sent here, as it was remote to attack except from the air and easily accessible by rail from the northern and southern battlefields. It could deal with 22,000 injured or sick, either to recuperate or en route to England. Private 54583 Elliot Blades died of wounds here, June 8th 1917, he was 29 years old.
The war dead were initially buried at Etaples Cemetery and their graves were tended by the Womens Army Auxiliary Corp. Later the cemetery was laid out as it is today and the wooden crosses were replaced by white Portland stone. Etaples Military Cemetery, grave reference XXX M5, in addition to Elliot’s military details, included are the words, GOD BE WITH YOU - TILL WE MEET AGAIN. His family would have paid for this personal dedication.
His wife Lily of 31 Raby Terrace, Chilton Buildings received back pay in the sum of £3. 0s. 0d and his awards, the War Medal and the Victory Medal.
In God’s Loving Care, Rest In Peace
Elliot Blades is remembered at Chilton on C107.01, C107.04 and C107.12
